How to Join the Iowa Golf Association and Play More Golf
There are many amazing golfing opportunities for Iowans – from private clubs like The Harvester or Des Moines Country Club, to public gems like Spirit Hollow in Burlington or Blue Top Ridge in Riverside. There are a ton of fun opportunities at all of the small town courses across the state as well.
But one way you can include yourself in the fabric of organized golf in Iowa, is to join the Iowa Golf Association.
Each year, the IGA runs official events at 20+ courses across the state, giving golfers a unique opportunity to appreciate all the golf that Iowa has to offer. These tournaments range from parent/child events and match plays, to USGA qualifiers and the State Amateur.
As an IGA member, what’s in it for me?
As a member of the Iowa Golf Association, a couple of the main benefits are the following:
- A GHIN handicap index
- Free GHIN mobile app (includes score tracking, posting and GPS)
- Travel perks through Affinity Travel Benefits
- Relationship building opportunities with like-minded people!
- Helping grow the game of golf in Iowa
Registering as a member is incredibly easy. The IGA has an online option, but you can also join one of the over 200 member clubs in the state to become an official member of the IGA, which gains you access to all the events and benefits.
Many of us are golfers with busy lives, and committing to something like an IGA membership allows us to prioritize golf a little more, which is always a good thing!
You can learn even more about membership by taking a look at this online booklet that was last updated in 2022 by the IGA.
How much does an Iowa Golf Association membership cost?
Annual cost for membership is typically between $30 and $50, depending on the course you’re a member at. If signing up online at the link above, the membership cost is $47.
Forming your own IGA member club
Did you know you don’t have to own a golf course to become a member club? The Iowa Golf Association allows golfers to form their own club, as long as you have at least 10 total golfers who want to be part of it. This is called a “type 2” club.
This alternative club option is typically for friends, acquaintances or communities that don’t play at the same courses all the time.
What are you waiting for?
Now is as good a time as ever to join the IGA. There’s no long-term commitment beyond one year, so if you try it out and don’t like it, no worries! Most likely what you’ll find though, is that an IGA membership helps you branch out, meet more people, and play more (and better) golf!